Renovation Rescue our laws books

Law Commission president, Sir Geoffrey Palmer (that's right the former Labour prime minster who got dumped 8 weeks out from an election) thinks our laws books are well overdue for a major clean out. Since the last time that was done was in 1908 I doubt he is wrong. Definitely time to translate some of those 200 word non punctuated sentences into New Zealand English.

Here are some of the gems:

* There are about 1100 acts in force in New Zealand.
* Many are obsolete, such as the District Railways Purchasing Act of 1885.
* Some laws cover many areas: five separate acts could cover something like a faulty car bought on hire purchase.
* The Social Security Act 1964 has been amended so many times, and has so many inserts, that it is almost impossible to close the bound copy of the act.
* The longest sentence in a New Zealand law is over 700 words long.

Time to get out the scissors and broom don't you think?

I know a couple of rabbits who would be only too happy to give the old books the nibbled authentic Treaty of Waitangi look. Just don't use me as the duster.

*******

I have been doing a little spring cleaning of my own of late as the annual free rumage sale aka the inorganic collection makes its way around the city. Lots of wonderful dusty stuff to get into. Not many old TVs or brokendown fridges this year but lots, and I mean lots, of old beige saggy (and soggy) lounge suites, particle board nasties and empty birdcages. I even spotted an old plywood sign.

Recycling rulez so I'm going shopping.